Hearths of Fire (20 page)

“Church?” Charlotte shared a look with Neal and she felt her stomach lurch—so much for any appetite that might have returned. “What does this church preach?”

“Goodness,” Mandy declared, her tense posture indicating that she was ready for another argument. She swung her gaze to Neal. “All they want is to share their belief in good—is that so bad?”

“It sure would make a lot of folks around here breathe easier,” Neal said cautiously, using the counter to lean against as he looked pointedly at Charlotte’s plate. He then glanced at his watch. “Did I mention that your sister and I are taking a drive out to their property? Before you get upset, I just want to meet Garreth’s parents. Charlotte hasn’t met them either and this is a way to smooth any tension that I may have caused the last time I was in town.”

“Neal, they have been so nice to me,” Mandy said, her innocent gaze almost too much for Charlotte to take. “They are encouraging me to go to nursing school as they understand the importance of healing people. It was fate that brought Garreth and I together. Just think of all the good we can do with him becoming the church’s leader next week.”

“What?” Charlotte asked, standing back up and wincing as the chair made a hideous noise from being moved too quickly. Her heart started racing at the thought of what this news meant for her sister. “Mandy, what the hell are you talking about?”

“I knew you’d overreact,” Mandy accused, pushing her own seat back. “Garreth turns eighteen next weekend as well and this is what his parents have prepared him to do for his entire life. I think it’s wonderful and once you meet his parents, you’ll know how good they are.”

“How can an eighteen year old boy know what it takes to—”

“Mandy,” Neal said, interrupting what Charlotte had been going to ask, “we’re not saying they aren’t good people. What we’re afraid of is the fact that you’ve been dating Garreth for only two months and in that time span, you’re all but declaring your love for him. We’re concerned you’re moving your relationship with him a little too fast.”

“It’s not like we’re having sex,” Mandy declared, shoving her phone in the back of her jeans as she stood up. The relief that Charlotte felt was palpable, but unfortunately the feeling didn’t last all but two seconds. “Garreth wants to wait until we’re married. Doesn’t that tell you what a good man he is?”

Charlotte was speechless and before she found her voice, Neal had taken the lead on this conversation. She thought she heard him say that was a nice gesture on Garreth’s part and that Neal hoped that she was smart enough to finish nursing school before taking that type of leap, but Charlotte couldn’t be sure. Her hearing sounded as if she’d been placed underwater and from the tightness in her chest, she wasn’t getting air either. Married?

“Char?” Neal was standing in front of her, his warm fingers cradling the side of her face. “There’s nothing we can do but what we’re already doing. Now eat something, even if it’s only a slice of French toast. I need to make a couple of calls and then we’ll head out.”

Charlotte was surprised to see that Mandy had already left the kitchen while she’d been grappling with the comment about marriage. She looked up into Neal’s green eyes, not seeing the reassurance that she needed. He was worried too and that didn’t bode well. She nodded to let him know that she’d heard him but he didn’t release her right away. When his eyes dropped to her lips, she was amazed he didn’t comment on their color. They had to be blue from lack of oxygen. He hadn’t touched her like this since they were teenagers and everything she’d wanted to say was on the tip of her tongue.

“We’ll leave in ten minutes.”

As if he’d known she was going to bring up the past, Neal released her as if she’d burned his hand. He lifted his lips in what could pass for a smile, but he couldn’t hide his discomfort. Emotions warred with each other as she struggled for one area to concentrate on. Mandy had to come first, so Charlotte slid back into the chair as she watched Neal exit through the living room archway. Later tonight, when they were alone, Charlotte would finally bring up the past and put to rest the guilt that she’d carried all of these years.

‡

N
eal pulled onto
the long dirt drive that led the way to the heart of the Ashes to Dirt compound. Oak and maple trees were situated about the property, but they didn’t provide enough coverage to hide what was being done. Charlotte hadn’t been kidding when she’d said that the followers had been building housing structures throughout the land. The members, all dressed in black, were busy constructing the framing for what he assumed were residences. They counted at least six structures that were being put up and as he continued to drive the truck down the lane, it was easy to see the main house and the large red barn that was now being used as a church. A large steeple had been placed on the roof to signify its importance.

For how disturbing the sight was, the sun was still shining down on the land. In a far pasture past the main house was a sizeable garden that was being tended to by women and children. A few heads turned their way but no one came to greet them. He had the driver’s side window cracked open and the blows of hammers and nail guns resounded through the air, hiding the resonance of nature. He looked over to where Charlotte’s eyes were wide with surprise and could tell even she was taken aback by the massive set-up they had going on here. Where exactly had Robert and Patricia picked up this many followers?

“I’m not sure whether to be appalled or impressed that the Ashes could get this many people to leave their lives and join them in…well, whatever it is they are doing here,” Charlotte murmured, summing up exactly what Neal had been thinking. “It makes me wonder how they got the money to buy this property and how they feed this many people.”

“I looked into their finances,” Neal replied, ensuring that his sidearm was clipped in place. He continued to take in his surroundings as he spoke. “These followers? They forked over every dime they had, along with their retirement plans. If you notice, the majority of people are either older or younger.”

“Isn’t that against the law?”

“Not if they were of sound mind and gave up their life savings of their own accord. I can’t imagine that made their families very happy.” Neal reached for the handle but stopped short of opening his door. He needed to make one thing clear. “You follow my lead. I don’t want you pulling anything like you did last night. Let me ask the questions.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Charlotte asked, her cute brow back in that V that was becoming a permanent marker on her forehead. He ignored the need to run his thumb over the small crease. “I want to help.”

“Then keep your eyes open for anything that seems out of place.” Neal stepped out of his truck and stated one more thing before slamming it shut. “Don’t leave my side.”

Charlotte stayed in the passenger seat, waiting for Neal to walk around the truck to open her door. He could feel several sets of eyes on him as he held a hand out for her and it wasn’t until both of them had turned to face the house that he caught a glimpse of a curtain falling back into place. He positioned a hand on her lower back, sticking as close to her as he could. This visit might not go over as well as she’d hoped.

“Ready?” Neal asked in a low voice, walking toward the wooden steps on the old farmhouse. With all the upgrading that was taking place, he wasn’t surprised to see a fresh coat of white paint across the timber. Charlotte never had the time to answer him as the door opened, along with the screened door, revealing Robert Ashe. “Showtime.”

*

“Neal Bauer, if
I remember correctly.” Robert Ashe had a smile in place that made Charlotte feel as if winter had settled over the land. His teeth appeared as false as his buoyant attitude and she had to wonder how no one else saw through his façade. His brown hair reminded her of men from a previous century where the sideburns were longer than necessary. As for his features, he had a very average face with a lanky build. “Welcome back to Hearth.”

“Mr. Ashe,” Neal said in greeting as he pulled his hand away from Charlotte to greet the leader. She was glad when he immediately put it back in place. “I’d like you to meet Charlotte Whitefall, Mandy’s older sister.”

“I must say, Charlotte—if I may call you that—you’ve raised a wonderful woman. We can’t say enough good things about Mandy.” Charlotte reluctantly shook the man’s hand and did her best not to grimace. “I can only imagine how hard it was for you to lose your parents at such a young age.”

“I managed to keep her from harm so far,” Charlotte replied, trying her best to lift the sides of her mouth. She couldn’t pinpoint why Robert Ashe made her so uncomfortable. “I had the day off today, so Neal and I thought we would make the most of it by dropping by so I had a chance to meet you. Garreth and Mandy have gotten rather close over the last two months.”

“Yes, they have. It’s wonderful to know they found each other so early in life, isn’t it?” Robert’s gaze was focused on something behind Neal and Charlotte, so they both turned to see who was behind them. Patricia Ashe was walking toward them with her hair up on some sort of clip. She’d gone gray early, although it was mixed in with a mousy brown color. Charlotte wasn’t sure why she was expecting a black dress of some sort, but the woman was wearing pretty much the same outfit as her husband—a black sweater overtop a black dress shirt and black jeans. It was downright creepy. How could Mandy not see it? Charlotte should be grateful that her sister was still wearing normal clothes. It was then that a vision of her sister wearing a black turtleneck this morning came to the forefront. “And here is my lovely wife. Patricia, please meet Charlotte Whitefall. You’ve already met Neal Bauer.”

“Yes, I remember,” Patricia stated, a false smile pasted on her thin lips. Charlotte could see immediately that this woman didn’t like Neal. Whether it was from their previous run-in or she just didn’t like Alpha men was up for debate. Patricia’s dark brown eyes zeroed in on Charlotte. She wasn’t sure why, but it felt as if she was being looked over with the intention of being bought. “Charlotte, it’s such a pleasure to meet you. Robert and I were just talking about Mandy and how perfect she and our son are together. A higher power is certainly watching over them.”

Charlotte wasn’t quite sure what to say to that, so she kept quiet while shaking the older woman’s cold hand. Something caught Charlotte’s eye as she looked to their right to see Garreth entering the large barn. He had to have seen them, yet he’d chosen to not come over. She had no doubt that he was calling Mandy right now. Hadn’t her sister mentioned they were going to the festival early before Garreth had to run a booth?

“We were hoping to sit down with you,” Neal said, bringing everyone’s attention back around. “I’m sure you can understand that since Mandy and Garreth have gotten so close, that Charlotte would want to know more about what you do here…what you stand for.”

“Please, come inside for some refreshments.” Robert waited to walk back to the house until his wife was by his side. Together the couple led the way up the porch steps and into a house that had sparse furnishings. Charlotte could easily see the beauty of such an old farmhouse and yet it now appeared to be only a shell of what used to be. “Have a seat and we’ll be right with you.”

Just like that, Robert and Patricia exited the living room…if one could call it that. The only pieces of furniture were two foldout chairs and a couch. It gave off the appearance that the chairs were used to indicate a higher authority and just for shits and giggles, Charlotte almost sat in one just to see what Robert and Patricia would do upon their return.

“Don’t even think about it,” Neal murmured, taking a hold of her hand and leading her to the couch. They both sank down on cushions that were as hard as two-by-fours. There was a cheap laminate table with short legs in front of them that was situated in between the couch and two chairs. “They’ll come at me first and then they’ll tell you what they want you to know about Ashes to Dirt. Just follow my lead.”

“Is it bad that I don’t like them already?” Charlotte whispered back, sitting forward on the hard cushion. She felt the urge to be ready to run, which was laughable. Neal was here and armed. Nothing was going to happen. “Wait. Should we drink what they give us?”